Circuit-controller.



N0. 699,952. Patented May l3, I902;

R. HERMAN.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

I (Application fileql Oct. 7, 1901.) 7 (lg Mbdel.) 2-Sheets-Sheet l.

THE Npnms PETERS co. wow-urn" WASHINGTON.

Patented May 13, I902.

' R. HERMAN.

.ClBC-UIT CONTROLLER.

- (Application filed Oct. 7, 1901.= (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2;

' 513 iii 1 11-1: "hams PETERS co. Pr ormumq, WASHINGTON o UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

REINI-IOLD HERMAN, OF GRAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-CGNTROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,952, dated May 13, 1902. Application filed October 7,190I. Serial No. 77,762. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REINHOLD HERMAN, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at Grafton, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit- Controllers, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings. i

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in circuit-controllers such as are employed in connection with electrically-operated signal devices, the main object of the invention being to construct a circuit-controller for controlling a multiple number or series of circuits.

While I will herein describe and illustrate the device as employed in connection with a signal mechanism, yet the device can bereadily employed in any connection Where a rotary shaft is obtainable and wherein it is desired to use a controller'for timing a series of movements of shorter or longer duration.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved circuit-controller, showing the same secured in position on one of the standards or uprights of a signal mechanism, the standard or upright being partlybroken away. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a like view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transversevertical sectional view through one of the shafts for the contact fingers or blades, taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a central vertical sectional view of one of the sleeves or collars which carry the contact fingers or blades, showing the latter in posi tion and also showing a part of the shaft. Fig. 7 is a detail side and face view of one of the sleeves or collars that carry the contact fingers or blades.

In the accompanying illustration of my invention only that part of the framework and other parts of a signal mechanism are shown as is necessary to give a clear understanding of the device. As is well known in signaling a signal mechanism is employed to shift the signal to different positions, and in some of these devices-forinstance, as shown in my Patent No. 683,397a rotating driveshaft is journaled in the framework of the signal mechanism, and mounted on this driveshaft is a circuit-controller for effecting the desired circuits to shift the signal to its different positions. In the present device I aim to provide means whereby the contact lingers or blades may be adjusted so as to complete one or more circuits at predetermined periods, and in the drawings 1 indicates a part of one of the standards or uprights of the signalmechanism frame. A form of these standards and signal mechanism is shown in my patent before referred to, and journaled in the standards is the drive-shaft 2.

The improved form of circuit -controller herein shown is adapted not only to be employed with a signal mechanism especially constructed therefor, but also to be attached to any mechanism having a rotating driveshaft. In the present illustration Ishow the same attached to a standard or upright not specially constructed therefor. I accomplish this by tubular studs or bushings 3, to which the segment-shaped supporting-plate 4. is secured by bolts 5. The circuit-controller mechanism is adapted to be mounted on the outer face of the standard or upright 1, and on the 2 end of the drive-shaft 2 thatprojects through the standard 1 I mount a sleeve 6, that may be held against rotation independently of the shaft by means of atap-screw 7 or other suitable means. This sleeve is preferably pro- .videdintermediate ofits ends with an annumay be fastened to the" sleeve 6 by set-screws 11, as shown, and the contact segments or blades 10 may be held in the collars -9 by screws 12, as shown, or in any other suitable manner. The ends of the contact segments or blades 10 are made V shape in cross-section or with a knife-edge 14;, so that they will readily enter between the contact-fingers without danger of the latter striking against the end of the segment and interrupting the movement thereof.

It will be observed that by slackening screw 7 sleeve 6 maybe revolved on shaft 2 and adjusted to any desired position in order that the time of contact of the blades 10 with the spring contact-fingers may be varied.

The segment shaped supporting -pla1e t carries one or more studs from-which the contact fingers or blades for engagement with the plates 10 are suspended and with which studs circuit is made to various parts of the mechanism to control and give the desired movements of the signal. In the present illustration 1 have shown three of these studs, (indicated by the numerals 11 15 16,) each substantially identical in construction. Each stud has an integral enlargement or collar 17, having an aperture 18 for one of the circuitwires (not shown) and a set-screw 19 for securing the wire in posit-ion. As the circuit to the contact fingers or blades carried by the studs are not identical with each stud I will describe each stud separately. The stud 14:

projects through plate 4: and is secured by a lock-nut20. An insulatingsleeve 21 is placed on the stud to prevent contact of the plate t therewith, and the plate at is also insulated from the nut and collar 17 by insulatingwashers Mounted on the stud 14 on the other side of the collar 17 are two adjustable collars 23, which carry the contact fingers or blades 21. These contact fingers or blades are apertured, so that the stud may be inserted therethrough, and the collars 23 are provided in opposite faces with recesses 25, into which the fingers fit neatly. The collars 23 are spaced apart by washers 2l3,placed on the stud, and they are rigidly secured on the stud by a washer 27and nut28. The stud 15 is identical in construction with the stud 14:, is insulated in the same manner from the plate 4:, secured in a like manner, and the contact fingers are also held on the stud by awasher and nut, as in the construction described in connection with the stud l4, and the same numerals have therefore been applied to these parts. This stud also carries two pair or sets of contact-fingers 29 30, the former secured to a collar 23 of the same construction as the collars 011 stud 1t and the latter secured to a collar 31, that is recessed or countersunk on opposite faces in the same manner as the collars 23, but has abore sufficiently large to fit over an insulating-sleeve 32, mounted on the stud, the fingers 30 being also insulated from the stud. The collar 31 and fingers 30 are also insulated from the collar 23 and fingers 20 by an insulating-washer 33,the circuit being completed to the fingers 30 over a circuit-wire (not shown) which is attached to a binding-post 31, carried by the collar 3 The stud 16 has the integral collar 17 with aperture 18 for circuit-wire and is held in the plate 4 and insulated therefrom in the same manner as the studs 1 t and 1.5. Mounted on this stud 16 is a pair of peripherallygrooved collars 3t, which are also countersunk or recessed on both side faces to receive the contact-fingers 35, these fingers being held in position on the collars by washers 36 and screws 37, as shown. Each of the collars 34 is provided with a slot 38, and a stud or screw 39 extends through this slot into the shaft 16, while on either side of this stud or screw 39 there is secured in the flanges of the collar a pin 40 to limit the oscillating movement of the collars 34C and their fingers The collars 34! are spaced apart on the stud by washers 11,placed therebetween, and are held in position on the stud by the pins or screws 30 in lieu of the nut 28, as with the other two studs, the washer 42, which binds the outside finger 35 in place, being secured by the small screws 37. All the lingers or blades may be made oscillating, as is shown for the fingers 35, providing there would be a heavy charge of current passed over them in order to procure a quick and long break between segments and fingers. This quick break of the fingers mounted, as is shown for the fingers 35, is occasioned by reason of the fingers being pivoted, and when the limit of their contact with the segments is reached the fingers drop away from the segments, the gravity movement being limited by the screw or pin 3.). \Vhcre, however, there is only a small amount of current, (say about fifty milliamperes being used,) the arc is so small that a quick break is not necessary, and therefore stationary contacts are used. It will be observed that in this illustration of the device the oscillating contacts are shown on the lower shaft 10, with which connection is made from motor to battery, which in a nal would consume the most current. The other fingers are connected to the same battery, but'feed into a high-resistance magnet, (not shown,) which may be a lock-magnet or relay-magnet consuming currents of small quantity. Fingers 2%, it will be observed, feed to the same source, though they may be so placed, as shown in Fig. 1, as to cut in at different times with the contact segments or blades 10, while fingers 29 30 feed to different sources, though the position of the segments or blades 10 maybe such that one pair of fingers will cut into contact previous to the other pair.

It will of course be understood that any n umber of pairs of contact-fingers may be suspended from the studs as may be required by the different movements which are to be made, and a corresponding increase in the segments 10 may be made. One or more pair of the fingers may be insulated, as shown in the present illustration, for the pair of fingers 30 for use in connection with any desired independent circuit. It will also be noted that all circuits are controlled by the rotation of the main shaft, which latter may be driven. either electrically or mechanically.

IOC

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a circuit-controller, the combination with a supporting-frame, a plate supported by said frame, studs mounted in said plate, contact fingers arranged in pairs on said studs, and contact-blades movable in the arc of a circle to make and break contact with said fingers.

2. In a circuit controller, a supportingplate, studs mounted in said plate; collars mounted on said studs, a pair of contact-fingers carried by each collar, and contact-blades movable in the arc of a circle between the pairs of fingers to make and break contact therewith.

3. In a circuit-controller, a segmental supporting-plate, studs mounted in said plate, collars mounted on each of said studs, a pair of contact-fingers mounted in recesses provided therefor in each collar, and contactblades movable in the arc of a circle between the fingers to make and break contact therewith, substantially as described.

4. In a circuit controller, a supportingplate, one or more studs mounted in said plate, collars mounted on the stud or studs with their opposite faces recessed, contact-fingers mounted in said recesses, and contact-blades movable between the fingers to make and break contact therewith.

5. In a circuit-controller, a series of suitably supported studs, collars mounted on each of said studs, with their opposite faces recessed, and contact-fingers mounted in said recesses for engagement with opposite faces of contact-blades to make and break contact.

6. In a circuit-controller, a series of suitably-supported studs, collars mounted on said studs, a pair of contact-fingers carried by each of said collars, one pair of said fingers being insulated from the supporting-stud, and contact-blades movable between the fingers, substantially as described.

7. In a circuit-controller, a series of suitably-supported studs, collars mounted on said studs, a pair of contact-fingers carried by each of said collars, one pair of the fingers having an oscillating movement, and contactblades movable in the arc of a circle between the fingers.

8. A mutiple-circuit controller, comprising a series of electrically-connected spring-fingers arranged in pairs, one pair of fingers being capable of oscillatory movement on their support, and segmental contactblades movable in the arc of a circle between the pairs of fingers for contact therewith.

9. A multiple-circuit controller comprising a series of suitably-mounted spring contactfingers one of which is capable of oscillatory movement on its support, and contact-blades movable between the fingers in the arc of a circle for engagement with the fingers.

10. In a multiple-circuit controller, a supportingplate, studs mounted in said plate and insulated therefrom, collars mounted on each of said studs, a pair of spring contactfingers carried by each of said collars, one of said collars and fingers carried thereby being insulated from their stud, and contact-blades movable in the arc of a circle between the fingers and provided with knifeedges, as and for the purpose described.

11. A multiple-circuit controller embodying a support, studs mounted therein and insulated therefrom, collars mounted on said studs, a pair of spring-fingers carried by each of said collars, one of said pairs of fingers capable of oscillatory movement, and contact-blades which are movable between the pairs of fingers to make and break contact therewith.

12. In a circuit-controller, a support, a stud mounted in said support, a collar mounted on said stud to partially rotate thereon, a pair of spring-fingers carried by the collar and movable therewith, means for limiting the movement of said collar and fingers, and a contact-blade movable between the fingers to make and break contact therewith.

13. In a circuit controller, a support, a stud mounted thereon, collars mounted on said stud, a pair of spring-fingers carried by each of said collars, and contact-blades movable in the arc of a circle between the fingers to make and break contact therewith.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

REINHOLD HERMAN.

Vitnesses:

JOHN NoLAND, A. M. WILSON. 

